ABOUT ME

I was born and raised in Cheshire, and moved to London in 2006 which has since become home in the UK. I graduated from The London School of Economics in 2009, after which I spent 5 years working in finance before starting my own company IZAAK AZANEI. In 2015, I moved to Dubai after I got married – my husband is born and raised in Dubai. We have three kids aged three and under – so life is chaotic! I also launched my second company Little IA in 2021. 

WHERE IS HOME?

London will always be home – but technically home is now Dubai.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? 

A business owner.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I run two brands: IZAAK AZANEI, a contemporary womenswear label focused on knitwear which is stocked at Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Bergdorf Goodman, amongst other retailers. And I recently launched Little IA – a global e-commerce children’s business specialising in personalised gifts and keepsakes at an affordable price.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN?

I love taking my children to the supermarket – I know it sounds bizarre, but with tiny kids, having an activity that allows me to get my weekly chores done whilst being entertaining is a big win. And also our family ritual of dim sum Saturdays.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS?

You can usually find us in Nakheel Mall pretty much every weekend – Fabyland followed by Depachika. We’re a foodie family so our weekends usually revolve around where we’re going to eat.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

Meet Joe Black, A Beautiful Mind, Superbad – too many to choose one!

IF YOU COULD EAT ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Such a tough one – it’s a tie between Korean Wings and Indonesian Mie Gorang.

WHO’S YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

Drake.

WHICH DESTINATION IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST TO VISIT?

Finland – I’m counting down to the day where I can take my kids to the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. I also would love to go to Tibet and Nepal. 

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

I don’t watch much TV at all, but if I need a binge, it’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Time travel to the past.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN DUBAI?

The safety I feel with my kids, the genuine kindness and warmth you feel from all the people working in Dubai – it’s normal encounters throughout your day that keep you feeling happy. Plus the exciting food scene that continues to get richer.